title: Mediterranean diet and cardiovascular disease: historical perspective and latest evidence.
abstract: The concept that the Mediterranean diet was associated with a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) was first proposed in the 1950s. Since then, there have been randomized controlled trials and large epidemiological studies that reported associations with lower CVD: in 1994 and 1999, the reports of the intermediate and final analyses of the trial Lyon Diet Heart Study; in 2003, a major epidemiological study in Greece showing a strong inverse association between a Mediterranean score and the risk of cardiovascular complications; in 2011-2012, several reports showing that even non-Mediterranean populations can gain benefits from long-term adhesion to the Mediterranean diet; and in 2013, the PREDIMED trial showing a significant risk reduction in a low-risk population. Contrary to the pharmacological approach of cardiovascular prevention, the adoption of the Mediterranean diet has been associated with a significant reduction in new cancers and overall mortality. Thus, in terms of evidence-based medicine, the full adoption of a modern version of the Mediterranean diet pattern can be considered one of the most effective approaches for the prevention of fatal and nonfatal CVD complications.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire Cœur et Nutrition, TIMC-IMAG CNRS 5525, Faculté de Médecine de Grenoble, Université Joseph Fourier, 38054, La Tronche, France, michel.delorgeril@ujf-grenoble.fr.
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Lorgeril
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D012307:Risk Factors